Underwater connector and method for connecting a chain under water

ABSTRACT

An underwater connector for connecting a chain under water. The connector includes a connector body having a first end with an anchoring point and a second end for the anchoring of the chain. The second end includes an inlet opening that is communicated with a housing in the connector body, the housing configured to house an end link of the chain. The connector also includes a locking plate that is moveable from a first position outside the housing of the connector body and a second position inside the housing of the connector body. When the locking plate is in the first position an end link of the chain is allowed to pass through the inlet opening and into the housing of the connector body. When the locking plate is in the second position the locking plate contacts the end link to lock the end link inside the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/ES2021/070416, filed Jun. 7, 2021, which claims the benefit and priority to European Application No. 20382548.4, filed Jun. 23, 2020.

FIELD

The present invention relates to systems comprising chains and underwater connectors for the mooring lines of floating structures and methods for connecting mooring lines.

BACKGROUND

Offshore platforms or drilling rigs are floating structures which must be secured to the seabed in a specific fixed area so as to not be subjected to movements that may be caused by sea currents or atmospheric conditions. To that end, anchoring devices which are secured to mooring lines attached to said floating structures are used. The anchoring devices can be anchors or piles which are driven into the seabed, commonly incorporating a chain segment, one of the ends of said chain segment being attached to the anchoring device, and the other end of the chain segment having to be attached to another chain segment which is launched from the surface of the water and attached to the floating structure to be secured. To attach the chain segments under water, the use of underwater connectors which are arranged in the anchoring devices is known.

Document EP2809969A1, or EP2858888A1, shows an underwater connector for connecting a chain under water comprising a connector body having a first end with an anchoring point and a second end for the anchoring of an end of the chain, the second end comprising an inlet opening. The anchoring point of the first end of the connector body is used for the anchoring of an end of another chain.

A male element which is launched together with the chain from the surface of the water, submerging the male element together with the chain until the male element is introduced into the connector body, is arranged at the end of the chain. Both the male element and the connector body have cavities for the passage of a locking pin, such that when the male element is inserted into the connector body, with the cavities of both elements being aligned with one another, the locking pin is introduced through the cavities by means of a remotely operated vehicle for locking the male element in the connector body.

Document US2014026796A1 shows an in-line mooring connector and tensioner employed for connecting and tensioning a chain underwater.

Document US20140224163A1 shows a device and a method of tensioning anchor chains, in particular mooring legs.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a system comprising a chain and an underwater connector for connecting the chain under water, and a method for connecting the chain with said system.

An aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a chain and an underwater connector for connecting the chain under water, the underwater connector comprising a connector body having a first end with an anchoring point and a second end for the anchoring of the chain, the second end comprising an inlet opening. The connector body additionally comprises a housing communicated with the inlet opening in which at least the last link of an end of the chain is housed, and a locking plate which locks by contact one of the links of the end of the chain housed in said housing. The locking plate has a through groove for receiving another one of the links of the end of the chain and thrusting means for being actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate being movable from a first position, in which the locking plate is arranged outside the housing allowing the passage of the end of the chain into the housing, to a second position, in which the locking plate is arranged in the housing locking the link of the end of the chain housed in said housing by contact.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for connecting a chain under water. The method comprises:

-   -   using the system described above,     -   introducing at least the last link of the end of the chain into         the housing of the connector body through the inlet opening,     -   using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate the locking         plate moving it so as to lock the end of the chain housed in         said housing, and     -   pulling the chain towards the inlet opening until one of the         links of the end of the chain which is housed in the housing         contacts the locking plate.

The housing of the connector body in which at least the last link of the end of the chain is housed, and the locking plate which locks one of the links of said chain, allow the end of the chain to be locked directly in the connector body without having to use additional elements. The underwater connectors of prior art document EP2809969A1, or EP2858888A1, use a male element that must be attached out of the water to an end of the chain, and then under water, when the male element is arranged such that it is housed in the connector body, a locking pin must be used to attach the male element to the connector body. The underwater connector of the invention does not require using a male element to connect the chain, or to attach the male element with the end of the chain out of the water, thereby resulting in a simpler and more cost-efficient solution for connecting a chain under water.

These and other advantages and features will become evident in view of the drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an underwater connector with a locking plate following a curved path for locking the end of the chain which is housed in the housing of the connector body.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show front and rear perspective views of the locking plate of the underwater connector of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 4 and 5 show top and bottom perspective views of the inlet opening of the underwater connector of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 shows a partial view with the locking plate in the second position locking the end of the chain.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the underwater connector of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 shows the underwater connector of FIG. 1 with the locking plate in the first position allowing the free passage of the chain.

FIG. 9 shows the underwater connector of FIG. 1 with the locking plate in the second position locking the chain.

FIG. 10 is a partial view of FIG. 8 , showing the arrangement of the last two links of the end of the chain in the housing of the connector body.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the underwater connector of the invention with a locking plate following a straight path for locking the end of the chain which is housed in the housing of the connector body.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show front and rear perspective views of the locking plate of the underwater connector of FIG. 11 .

FIGS. 14 and 15 show top and bottom perspective views of the inlet opening and of a part of the connector body of the underwater connector of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 16 shows a rear view of the underwater connector of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 17 shows the underwater connector of FIG. 11 with the locking plate in the first position allowing the free passage of the chain.

FIG. 18 shows supporting means of the underwater connector of FIG. 11 for arranging the connector in an anchoring device which is laid on the seabed.

FIG. 19 shows a schematic view of the underwater connector arranged in the anchoring device which is laid on the seabed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures show first and second embodiments of an underwater connector 100, 200 for connecting a chain 300 under water.

The underwater connector comprises a connector body 110, 210 having a first end 111, 211 with an anchoring point 112, 212 and a second end 113, 213 for the anchoring of the chain 300, the second end 113, 213 comprising an inlet opening 114, 214. The connector body 110, 210 additionally comprises a housing 115, 215 communicated with the inlet opening 114, 214 in which at least the last link 301 of an end of the chain 300 is housed, and a locking plate 116, 216 which locks by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the chain 300 housed in said housing 115, 215.

The underwater connector 100, 200 is used for connecting a chain 300 and another connection element 400 under water, for example, another chain 400 or an underwater cable.

Preferably, the underwater connector 100, 200 is used for connecting a first chain 300 and a second chain 400 under water. The first chain 300 and the second chain 400 form a mooring line connecting a floating structure with an anchoring device 500 which is arranged on the seabed.

The first chain 300 is connectable to the floating structure and the second chain 400 is connectable to the anchoring device 400 (see FIG. 19 ). Alternatively, the first chain 300 is connectable to the anchoring device 500 and the second chain 400 is connectable to the floating structure. The chains 300 or 400 can be formed by a single chain segment or by several chain segments. The anchoring device 500 can be an anchor or a pile which is driven into the seabed (as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 ), or another type of structure supported in the seabed.

The mooring line connecting the floating structure with the anchoring device 500 may have a tensioning element for tensioning the first chain 300 and the second chain 400. Therefore, the underwater connector 100, 200 connects the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 under water, and the tensioning element tensions the first chain 300 and the second chain 400.

The chains comprise a plurality of links arranged such that they are intercalated with one another, with a 90° rotated arrangement between two consecutive links. In the sense of the invention, the chains comprise a plurality of even-number links and odd-number links, the even-number links being arranged such that they are intercalated between the odd-number links.

The underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10 comprises a connector body 110 having a first end 111 with an anchoring point 112 for the anchoring of an end of the second chain 400, and a second end 113 for the anchoring of an end of the first chain 300, the second end 113 comprising an inlet opening 114. The connector body 110 additionally comprises a housing 115 communicated with the inlet opening 114 and configured for housing the end of the first chain 300, and a locking plate 116 configured for locking by contact one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 115.

The locking plate 116 has a through groove 117 for receiving another one of the links 302 of the end of the first chain 300 and thrusting means 118 for being actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate 116 being movable from a first position (see FIG. 8 ), in which the locking plate 116 is arranged outside the housing 115 allowing the passage of the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 115, to a second position (see FIG. 9 ), in which the locking plate 116 is arranged in the housing 115 of the connector body 110 locking the link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 115 by contact.

The locking plate 116 is configured for locking the end of the first chain 300 following a curved path between the first and second positions.

The anchoring point 112 of the first end 111 of the connector body 110 has two parallel projecting portions 119 defining an aperture 120 for arranging a link of the second chain 400 (see FIG. 7 ). Each of the projecting portions 119 has a cavity 121 for receiving a pin 122 attaching the point of the anchoring 112 with the link of the second chain 400 which is arranged in the aperture 120. The anchoring point 112 depicted in Figures is commonly referred to as “double pad eye”. Alternatively, the anchoring point 112 may have another shape, for example, it may have a shape suitable for connecting a shackle which is connected to a chain, or another shape for coupling another connection element 400, such as an underwater cable, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the locking plate 116 has an upper part 123 in which a rotating shaft 124 of the locking plate 116 is arranged, and two projecting arms 125 which are attached to the upper part 123, with the through groove 117 being arranged between the two projecting arms 125. Preferably, the locking plate 116 has a “U” shape with the two projecting arms 125 arranged parallel to one another and separated by a distance similar to the thickness of one of the links of the first chain 300, said distance being sufficient for the through groove 117 to be able to receive an even-number link 302 of the first chain 300. As seen in FIG. 2 , the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116 have notches 126 for receiving a part of one of the odd-number links 301 of the first chain 300. The notches 126 are arranged on the lower face of the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116, such that in the second position of the locking plate 116, the lower face of the locking plate 116 is facing the housing 115, and the upper face of the locking plate 116 is facing the inlet opening 114.

The rotating shaft 124 of the locking plate 116 is arranged between ribs 127 of the inlet opening 114, the ribs 127 projecting with respect to the lower part of the inlet opening 114, such that, in the second position, the locking plate 116 contacts the lower part of the inlet opening 114. The rotational coupling of the locking plate 116 is established at the lower end of the ribs 127 projecting with respect to the lower part of the inlet opening 114, the ribs 127 projecting a distance similar to the width of the locking plate 116, such that in the second position, the upper face of the locking plate 116 is supported on the lower part of the inlet opening 114, which acts as a stop to limit the rotation of the locking plate 116 (see FIG. 6 ).

The thrusting means 118 comprise protuberances 128 and cables 129, each of the projecting arms 125 having one of the protuberances 128, and wherein each of the cables 129 has an end attached to one of the protuberances 128 and another free end which is operable by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The protuberances 128 are arranged in the outer lateral part of the lower end of the projecting arms 125, in the part opposite the rotating shaft 124, such that the force the ROV must exert to rotate the plate 116 and bring it from the first position to the second position is reduced.

The connector body 110 has an aperture 131 for the passage of the locking plate 116 from the first position to the second position (see FIGS. 1 and 9 ). Said aperture 131 has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the locking plate 116 to allow the rotation of the locking plate 116 from the first position, in which the locking plate 116 is outside the housing 115 of the connector body 110, to the second position, in which the locking plate 116 is arranged in the housing 115.

The connector body 110 has holes 130 for the passage of the cables 129 of the thrusting means 118. The holes 130 are arranged in the connector body 110 in a position diametrically opposite to the aperture 131 which the connector body 110 has for the passage of the locking plate 116 from the first position to the second position, such that the cables 129 go through the housing 115 of the connector body 110. The holes 131 are arranged at the second end 113 of the connector body 110 in which the inlet opening 114 is arranged, in a position diametrically opposite to the area in which the rotating shaft 124 of the locking plate 116 is attached to the ribs 127 of the inlet opening 114, such that when the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pulls the cables 129 to bring the locking plate 116 to the second position, the protuberances 128 of the locking plate 116 are close to the holes 131. Therefore, the friction of the cables 129 with the holes 130 of the connector body 110 is limited and pulling is improved.

When the locking plate 116 is in the second position locking the first chain 300, the locking plate 116 is kept in said second position by the pull exerted on the first chain 300, however, under certain circumstances, the first chain 300 may let up, so the arrangement of means for retaining the locking plate 116 in the second position has been envisaged. Therefore, as seen in detail in FIG. 2 , the locking plate 116 has a cavity 132 for receiving a locking pin (not depicted in FIGS. 1 to 10 ), and the connector body 110 has another cavity 133 (see FIG. 1 ) for receiving the locking pin, such that with the two cavities 132 and 133 being aligned with one another, the locking pin retains the locking plate 116 in the connector body 110 preventing the movement thereof. The cavity 132 of the locking plate 116 is arranged in one of the projecting arms 125. Additionally, another cavity may be present in the other arm 125 of the locking plate 116 and another respective cavity in the connector body 110, a respective locking pin being used in such case to go through each pair of cavities. The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can be used to place the locking pin.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the inlet opening 114 of the connector body 110 has an inner wall 134 for receiving the end of the first chain 300, the inner wall 134 extending directly between an upper edge 135 and a lower edge 136, the lower edge 136 having a cross shape, and the upper edge 135 being wider than the lower edge 134, such that the inner wall 134 defines inclined channels 137 to lead the links of the first chain 300 to the cross shape of the lower edge 136. The cross shape has four ends due to its configuration, and each inclined channel 137 extends from one of the ends of the cross shape to the upper edge 135, such that four inclined channels 137 are defined. Therefore, if the end of the first chain 300 is not correctly oriented for being introduced through the cross, said inclined channels 137 allow rotating the first chain 300 and orienting towards the cross, so that the even-number link 302 that must enter the groove 117 of the plate 116 is correctly positioned.

The underwater connector 100 is preferably configured for establishing a vertical connection of the first chain 300 and the second chain 400 under water such that, in use, the underwater connector 100 is arranged in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed. Therefore, the locking plate 116 is kept in the first position by gravity, and the thrusting means 118 are used for bringing the locking plate 116 from the first position to the second position.

To that end, the connector body 110 has supporting means 138 for arranging the connector body 110 in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed. The inlet opening 114 of the housing 115 is therefore oriented vertically for receiving the end of the first chain 300 which is launched from the surface of the water also in a vertical orientation, so complex handling of the first chain 300 to introduce it in the housing 115 is not required.

The supporting means 138 is configured for establishing a removable attachment of the underwater connector 100 with the anchoring device 500. Therefore, when connection is established between the first chain 300 and second chain 400 and the underwater connector 100 is released from the anchoring device 500, no support element remains in the anchoring device 500. In the connectors of the state of the art, the connector body is arranged such that it is supported on a metal support structure that is welded to the anchoring device and remains attached to the anchoring device when the connector is released, so said structure may get tangled up with trawl fishing nets passing above the anchoring devices. The use of the supporting means 138 that are arranged directly in the connector body 110, and therefore moved together with the connector body 110, when the underwater connector 100 is released from the anchoring device 500, ensure the nonoccurrence of said tangling up.

Preferably, the connector body 110 has supporting means 138 comprising a vertical wall 139 which is attached to the connector body 110 by means of arms 140, there being defined between the vertical wall 139 and the arms 140 a groove 141 in which an upper edge of the anchoring device 500 can be arranged by means of being fitted therein. The groove 141 is arranged parallel to the connector body 110, such that when the underwater connector 100 is supported in the anchoring device 500, the groove 141 establishes a support by contact with the upper edge of the anchoring device 500, the underwater connector 100 being arranged in the vertical orientation, and when chains 300 and 400 have been connected, the groove 141 is extracted from the upper edge of the anchoring device 500 by means of pulling the first chain 300.

The anchoring device 500 can be a pile or an anchor arranged on the seabed or a support structure for being arranged on the seabed.

The underwater connector also allows establishing a connection of the first chain 300 and second chain 400 other than vertical connection, because the thrusting means 118 of the locking plate 116 allow the remotely operated vehicle to be able to actuate the plate 116, moving it between the first and second positions regardless of the orientation of the underwater connector 100 such that, in use, the underwater connector can be arranged in a position other than vertical.

The housing 115 of the connector body 110 is sized for receiving the last two links 301 and 302 of the end of the first chain 300, such that, in the second position, the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 is in contact with the locking plate 116 and the penultimate link 302 of the end of the first chain 300 is arranged in the through groove 117 of the locking plate 116. The last link 301 is an odd-number link and the penultimate link 302 is an even-number link. The housing 115 of the connector body 110 extends vertically between the first end 111 in which the anchoring point 112 is arranged and the second end 113 in which the inlet opening 114 is arranged, the housing 115 having a vertical dimension coinciding with the vertical dimension of two consecutive links of the first chain 300. In the partially sectioned view of FIG. 10 , the end of the first chain 300 can be seen introduced in the housing 115 when the locking plate 116 is in the first position leaving the housing 115 free, the vertical dimension of the housing 115 being seen to coincide with the vertical dimension of the last link 301 and the penultimate link 302 of the first chain 300 that are attached to one another.

Accordingly, the method for connecting the first chain 300 using the underwater connector 100 comprises:

-   -   introducing the end of the first chain 300 into the housing 115         of the connector body 110 through the inlet opening 114 and         aligning one of the links 302 of the end of the first chain 300         with the through groove 117 of the locking plate 116, the         locking plate 116 being in the first position, in which the         locking plate 116 is arranged outside the housing 115;     -   using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate the locking         plate 116 moving it so as to lock the end of the first chain 300         housed in said housing 115; this occurs by moving the locking         plate 116 from the first position to the second position, in         which the locking plate 116 is arranged in the housing 115, and     -   pulling the first chain 300 towards the inlet opening 114 until         one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 which is         housed in the housing 115 contacts the locking plate 116; one of         the links 302 of the first chain 300 being arranged in the         through groove 117 of the locking plate 116, and another one of         the links 301 of the first chain 300 being locked with the         locking plate 116 by contact.

The locking plate 116 moves from the first position to the second position following a curved path.

The last link 301 of the first chain 300 is introduced through the cross of the inlet opening 114 in an arrangement in which the last link 301 is arranged parallel to the locking plate 116 and the penultimate link 302 is arranged perpendicular to the locking plate 116, such that when the end of the first chain 300 is housed in the housing 115, the penultimate link 302 is facing the through groove 117, thereby allowing the locking plate 116 to be able to rotate transitioning from the first position to the second position. The first chain 300 is then pulled towards the inlet opening 114 until the last link 301 contacts the locking plate 116, the upper part of the last link 301 being partially housed in the notches 126 of the projecting arms 125 of the locking plate 116. In said situation, and to ensure the immobility of the locking plate 116, the locking pin is introduced through the cavity 133 of the connector body 110 and the cavity 132 of the locking plate 116.

Before connecting the chains 300 and 400 to one another, the anchoring device 500 is arranged on the seabed, and the underwater connector 100 is arranged in the anchoring device 500 in a vertical orientation by means of the supporting means 138. To that end, the groove 141 of the supporting means 138 is introduced in the upper edge of the anchoring device 500. When the connection between chains 300 and 400 has been established, and the locking plate 116 is in the second position locking the first chain 300, an additional pulling of the first chain 300 is performed to extract the groove 141 from the upper edge of the anchoring device 500.

The underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment of FIGS. 11 to 19 comprises a connector body 210 having a first end 211 with an anchoring point 212 for the anchoring of an end of the second chain 400, and a second end 213 for the anchoring of an end of the first chain 300, the second end 213 comprising an inlet opening 214. The connector body 210 additionally comprises a housing 215 communicated with the inlet opening 214 and configured for housing the end of the first chain 300, and a locking plate 216 configured for locking one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 215 by contact.

The locking plate 216 has a through groove 217 for receiving another one of the links 302 of the end of the first chain 300 and thrusting means 218 for being actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate 216 being movable from a first position (see FIG. 17 ), in which the locking plate 216 is arranged outside the housing 215 allowing the passage of the end of the first chain 300 in the housing 215, to a second position, in which the locking plate 216 is arranged in the housing 215 of the connector body 210 locking the link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 housed in said housing 215 by contact.

The locking plate 216 is configured for locking the end of the first chain 300 following a straight path between the first position and the second position.

The anchoring point 212 of the first end 211 of the connector body 210 has two parallel projecting portions 219 defining an aperture 220 for arranging a link of the second chain 400. Each of the projecting portions 219 has a cavity 221 for receiving a pin 222 attaching the anchoring point 212 with the link of the second chain 400 which is arranged in the aperture 220. Said anchoring point 212 may have a different shape, as described above in the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the locking plate 216 has an upper part 223 in which the thrusting means 218 is arranged, and two projecting arms 225 which are attached to the upper part 223, the through groove 217 being arranged between the two projecting arms 225. Preferably, the locking plate 216 has a “U” shape with the two projecting arms 225 arranged parallel to one another and separated by a distance similar to the thickness of one of the links of the first chain 300, said distance being sufficient for the through groove 217 to be able to receive an even-number link 302 of the first chain 300. As seen in FIG. 12 , the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216 have notches 226 for receiving a part of one of the odd-number links 301 of the first chain 300. The notches 226 are arranged on the lower face of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216, such that in the second position of the locking plate 216, the lower face of the locking plate 216 is facing the housing 215, and the upper face of the locking plate 216 is facing the inlet opening 214.

The connector body 210 has an aperture 231 for the passage of the locking plate 216 from the first position to the second position (see FIG. 15 ). Said aperture 231 has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the locking plate 216 to allow a movement following the straight path of the locking plate 216 from the first position, in which the locking plate 216 is outside the housing 215 of the connector body 210, to the second position, in which the locking plate 216 is arranged in the housing 215.

The two projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216 are configured for being moved through grooves 224 of the connector body 210 between the first position and the second position following the straight path. As seen in FIG. 15 , the grooves 224 are made in the inner walls of the connector body 210 and have a shape that is complementary to the outer part of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216. The outer part of each projecting arm 225 has a straight segment arranged after a tilted segment which ensures the arrangement and movement of the locking plate 216 grooves 224 of the connector body 210.

The locking plate 116 of the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment which is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 may also have projecting arms 125 with an outer part having a straight segment arranged after a tilted segment.

Each of the projecting arms 225 has a channel 227 for receiving a pin 229 guiding the locking plate 216 according to the straight path between the first position and the second position. The connector body 210 has cavities 230 which are located in the grooves 224, and the pins 229 go through said cavities 230 to project into the grooves 224 and to thereby enter the channels 227 of the locking plate 216 for guiding it in the straight path between the first position and the second position.

As seen in detail in FIG. 13 , the locking plate 216 has a cavity 232 for receiving a locking pin 228 (see FIG. 16 ), and the connector body 210 has another cavity 233 (see FIG. 15 ) for receiving the locking pin 228, such that with the two cavities 232 and 233 being aligned with one another, the locking pin 228 retains the locking plate 216 in the connector body 210 preventing the movement thereof. The cavity 232 of the locking plate 216 is arranged in one of the projecting arms 225. Additionally, another cavity may be present in the other arm 225 of the locking plate 216 and another respective cavity in the connector body 210, a respective locking pin being used in such case to go through each pair of cavities. The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can be used to place the locking pin.

As seen in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the inlet opening 214 of the connector body 210 has an inner wall 234 for receiving the end of the first chain 300, the inner wall 234 extending directly between an upper edge 235 and a lower edge 236 having a cross shape to allow the passage of the links of the end of the first chain 300. The inner wall 234 of the inlet opening 214 of the underwater connector of the second embodiment may have inclined channels like the inner wall 134 of the inlet opening 114 of the underwater connector of the first embodiment.

The housing 215 of the connector body 210 has two pairs of vertical plates 237 facing one another for guiding the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 into the housing 215. In the second embodiment, the connector body 210 has two facing walls between which the housing 215 is defined, and each of the vertical plates 237 is arranged in one of the walls of the connector body 210.

The housing 115 of the connector body 110 of the first embodiment may also have the two pairs of vertical plates 237 which allow guiding the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 when it is introduced in the housing 115. In the first embodiment, the connector body 110 has a circular shape defining the housing 115, such that the two pairs of vertical plates 237 would be arranged in diametrically opposite positions of the housing 115 of the connector body 110.

The underwater connector 200 is preferably configured for establishing a vertical connection of the first chain 300 and second chain 400 under water such that, in use, the underwater connector 200 is arranged in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed. To that end, the connector body 210 has supporting means 238 for being attached to the anchoring device 500 and for arranging the connector body 210 in a vertical orientation with respect to the seabed.

The supporting means 238 comprises a rod 239 which is arranged between two lugs 240 of the connector body 210, the rod 239 being able to be arranged in an anchoring structure 241 which is attached to the anchoring device 500.

As seen in FIG. 18 , the anchoring structure 241 comprises a lower part 242 connectable to the anchoring device 500 and an upper part 243 having an end which is rotatably attached with the lower part 242 and another end having a locking closure 244 for locking the upper part 243 with the lower part 242, and wherein arms 245 which are configured for receiving the rod 239 of the supporting means 238 and locking same are arranged between the upper part 243 and the lower part 242. For the sake of clarity, only the rod 239 of the supporting means 238 is depicted in FIG. 18 , without the rest of the elements of the underwater connector 200 being depicted.

The upper part 243 is separated from the lower part 242 for receiving the rod 239 in the arms 245 of the lower part 242, and when the rod 239 is supported in the lower part 242, the upper part 243 is arranged on the lower part 242, the rod 239 being retained between the arms 245 of the anchoring structure 241. When the rod 239 is retained, the locking closure 244, which is made up of a locking pin, assures the attachment of the upper part 243 with respect to the lower part 242 preventing their separation.

The anchoring structure 241 has three arms 245, two of the arms 245 are arranged in the lower part 242 and the other arm 245 is arranged in the upper part 243. The arms 245 have a circular shape that is complementary to the rod 239 to assure its retention and prevent its movement.

To attach the underwater connector 200 with the anchoring device 500, the underwater connector 200 is first brought to the anchoring device 500, the anchoring structure 241 is opened by separating the upper part 243 from the lower part 242, the underwater connector 200 is arranged in the anchoring structure 241 by supporting the rod 239 on the arms 245 of the lower part 242 of the anchoring structure 241, and then the anchoring structure 241 is closed by moving the upper part 243 closer to the lower part 242, such that the rod 239 is retained. Finally, the locking closure 244 is introduced for locking the upper part 243 with the lower part 242.

The underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment may have supporting means 138 like those described above for the first embodiment. Likewise, the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment may have supporting means 238 like those of the underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment.

The housing 215 of the connector body 210 is sized for receiving the last two links 301 and 302 of the end of the first chain 300, such that in the second position, the last link 301 of the end of the first chain 300 is in contact with the locking plate 216 and the penultimate link 302 of the end of the first chain 300 is arranged in the through groove 217 of the locking plate 216. The last link 301 is an odd-number link and the penultimate link 302 is an even-number link. The housing 215 of the connector body 210 extends vertically between the first end 211 in which the anchoring point 212 is arranged and the second end 213 in which the inlet opening 214 is arranged, the housing 215 having a vertical dimension coinciding with the vertical dimension of the last link 301 and part of the penultimate link 302 of the first chain 300.

The underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment has a locking plate 216 which moves between the first and second positions according to a straight path, whereas the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment has a locking plate 116 which moves between the first and second positions according to a curved path, to that end, the connector body 210 of the underwater connector 200 of the second embodiment has a vertical dimension smaller than that of the connector body 110 of the underwater connector 100 of the first embodiment.

Accordingly, the method for connecting the first chain 300 using the underwater connector 200 comprises:

-   -   introducing the end of the first chain 300 into the housing 215         of the connector body 210 through the inlet opening 214;         aligning one of the links 302 of the end of the first chain 300         with the through groove 217 of the locking plate 216, the         locking plate 216 being in the first position, in which the         locking plate 216 is arranged outside the housing 215;     -   using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate the locking         plate 216 moving it so as to lock the end of the first chain 300         housed in said housing 215; moving the locking plate 216 from         the first position to the second position, in which the locking         plate 116 is arranged in the housing 215, and     -   pulling the first chain 300 towards the inlet opening 214 until         one of the links 301 of the end of the first chain 300 which is         housed in the housing 215 contacts the locking plate 216; one of         the links 302 of the first chain 300 being arranged in the         through groove 217 of the locking plate 216, and another one of         the links 301 of the first chain 300 being locked with the         locking plate 216 by contact.

The locking plate 216 moves from the first position to the second position following a straight path.

The last link 301 of the first chain 300 is introduced through the cross of the inlet opening 214 in an arrangement in which, during the introduction, the last link 301 is facing the side arms 225 of the locking plate 116 and the penultimate link 302 is facing the groove 217 of the locking plate 116. The first chain 300 is then pulled towards the inlet opening 214 until the last link 301 contacts the locking plate 216, the upper part of the last link 301 being partially housed in the notches 226 of the projecting arms 225 of the locking plate 216. In said situation, and to ensure the immobility of the locking plate 216, the locking pin 228 is introduced through the cavity 233 of the connector body 210 and the cavity 232 of the locking plate 216.

As seen in FIG. 17 , in the first position, in which the locking plate 216 is arranged outside the housing 215, the locking plate 216 can be partially introduced in the grooves 224 of the connector body 210, such that passage of the last link 301 into the housing 215 is allowed, while part of the penultimate link 302 passes through the groove 217 of the plate 216.

Before connecting the chains 300 and 400 to one another, the anchoring device 500 is arranged on the seabed, and the underwater connector 200 is arranged in the anchoring device 500 in a vertical orientation by means of the supporting means 238, as described above.

All the features described in relation to underwater connectors 100 and 200 are also considered as being described for the connection method insofar as it concerns said connectors.

For reasons of completeness, various aspects of the present disclosure are set out in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1. System comprising a chain and an underwater connector for connecting the chain (300) under water, the underwater connector comprising a connector body (110, 210) having a first end (111, 211) with an anchoring point (112, 212) and a second end (113, 213) for the anchoring of the chain (300), the second end (113, 213) comprising an inlet opening (114, 214), the connector body (110, 210) additionally comprises a housing (115, 215) communicated with the inlet opening (114, 214) in which at least the last link (301) of an end of the chain (300) is housed, and a locking plate (116, 216) which locks by contact one of the links (301) of the end of the chain (300) housed in said housing (115, 215), the locking plate (116, 216) has a through groove (117, 217) for receiving another one of the links (302) of the end of the chain (300) and thrusting means (118, 218) for being actuated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the locking plate (116, 216) being movable from a first position, in which the locking plate (116, 216) is arranged outside the housing (115, 215) allowing the passage of the end of the chain (300) into the housing (115, 215), to a second position, in which the locking plate (116, 216) is arranged in the housing (115, 215) locking the link (301) of the end of the chain (300) housed in said housing (115, 215) by contact.

Clause 2. System according to clause 1, wherein the locking plate (116) has an upper part (123) in which a rotating shaft (124) of the locking plate (116) is arranged, and two projecting arms (125) which are attached to the upper part (123), with the through groove (117) being arranged between the two projecting arms (125).

Clause 3. System according to the preceding clause, wherein the thrusting means (118) comprise protuberances (128) and cables (129), each of the projecting arms (125) having one of the protuberances (128), and wherein each of the cables (129) has an end attached to one of the protuberances (128) and another free end which is operable by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

Clause 4. System according to clause 2 or 3, wherein the rotating shaft (124) of the locking plate (116) is arranged between ribs (127) of the inlet opening (114), the ribs (127) projecting with respect to the lower part of the inlet opening (114), such that in the second position, the locking plate (116) contacts the lower face of the inlet opening (114).

Clause 5. System according to clause 3 or 4, wherein the connector body (110) has holes (130) for the passage of the cables (129) of the thrusting means (118).

Clause 6. System according to the preceding clause, wherein the holes (130) for the passage of the cables (129) of the thrusting means (118) are arranged in the connector body (110) in a position diametrically opposite to an aperture (131) which the connector body (110) has for the passage of the locking plate (116) from the first position to the second position, such that the cables (129) go through the housing (115) of the connector body (110).

Clause 7. System according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the inlet opening (114) has an inner wall (134) for receiving the end of the chain (300), the inner wall (134) extending directly between an upper edge (135) and a lower edge (136), the lower edge (136) having a cross shape, and the upper edge (135) being wider than the lower edge (134), such that the inner wall (134) defines inclined channels (137) to lead the links (301,302) of the chain (300) to the cross shape of the lower edge (136).

Clause 8. System according to clause 1, wherein the locking plate (216) has an upper part (223) in which the thrusting means (218) are arranged, and two projecting arms (225) which are attached to the upper part (223), the through groove (217) being arranged between the two projecting arms (225), and wherein the two projecting arms (225) are configured for being moved through grooves (224) of the connector body (210) between the first position and the second position following a straight path, preferably each of the projecting arms (225) has a channel (227) for receiving a pin (229) guiding the locking plate (216) between the first and second positions.

Clause 9. System according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the locking plate (116, 216) has a cavity (132, 232) for receiving a locking pin (228), and the connector body (110, 210) has another cavity (133, 233) for receiving the locking pin (228), such that with the two cavities (132, 133) being aligned with one another, the locking pin retains the locking plate (116, 216) in the connector body (110, 210) preventing the movement thereof.

Clause 10. System according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing (115, 215) of the connector body (110, 210) has two pairs of vertical plates (237) facing one another for guiding the last link (301) of the end of the chain (300) into the housing (115, 215).

Clause 11. System according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the connector body (110) has supporting means (138) comprising a vertical wall (139) which is attached to the connector body (110) by means of arms (140), there being defined between the vertical wall (139) and the arms (140) a groove (141) in which an upper edge of an anchoring device (500) can be arranged by means of being fitted therein.

Clause 12. System according to any of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the connector body (210) has supporting means (238) comprising a rod (239) arranged between two lugs (240) of the connector body (210), the rod (239) being able to be arranged in an anchoring structure (241) which is attached to an anchoring device (500).

Clause 13. System according to the preceding clause, wherein the anchoring structure (241) comprises a lower part (242) connectable to the anchoring device (500) and an upper part (243) having an end which is rotatably attached with the lower part (242) and another end having a locking closure (244) for locking the upper part (243) with the lower part (242), and wherein arms (245) which are configured for receiving the rod (239) of the supporting means (238) and locking same are arranged between the upper part (243) and the lower part (242).

Clause 14. System according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing (115, 215) of the connector body (110, 210) is sized for receiving the last two links (301, 302) of the end of the chain (300), such that in the second position, the last link (301) of the end of the chain (300) is in contact with the locking plate (116, 216), and the penultimate link (302) of the end of the chain (300) is arranged in the through groove (117) of the locking plate (116).

Clause 15. Method for connecting a chain (300) under water, the method comprising:

using a system defined according to any of the preceding clauses;

introducing at least the last link (301) of the end of the chain (300) into the housing (115, 215) of the connector body (110, 210) through the inlet opening (114, 214);

using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to actuate the locking plate (116, 216) moving it so as to lock the end of the chain (300) housed in said housing (115, 215); and

pulling the chain (300) towards the inlet opening (114, 214) until one of the links (301) of the end of the chain (300) which is housed in the housing (115, 215) contacts the locking plate (116, 216). 

What is claimed is:
 1. An underwater connector comprising: a connector body including: a first end with an anchoring point; a second end for the anchoring of a chain, the second end including an inlet opening; a housing communicated with the inlet opening and configured to house an end link of the chain; a locking plate being moveable from a first position outside the housing of the connector body and a second position inside the housing of the connector body, when in the first position the end link of the chain is allowed to pass through the inlet opening and into the housing of the connector body, when in the second position the locking plate contacts the end link to lock the end link inside the housing of the connector body, the locking plate including a through groove for receiving a link of the chain other than the end link; and a thrusting mechanism configured to be acted on by a remotely operated vehicle to move the locking plate from the first position to the second position.
 2. The underwater connector according to claim 1, wherein the link of the chain other than the end link is a penultimate link of the chain.
 3. The underwater connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking plate is configured to rotate from the first position to the second position.
 4. The underwater connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking plate is configured to move linearly from the first position to the second position.
 5. The underwater connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking plate includes an upper part in which a rotating shaft is arranged, and first and second projecting arms that are attached to the upper part, the through groove being arranged between the first and second projecting arms.
 6. The underwater connector according to claim 5, wherein the thrusting mechanism comprises a cable having a first portion coupled to at least one of the first and second projecting arms, the cable having a second portion that is configured to be operated by the remotely operated vehicle.
 7. The underwater connector according to claim 5, wherein the thrusting mechanism includes first and second protuberances respectively protruding from the first and second projecting arms, the thrusting mechanism further comprising first and second cables that each has a first end respectively coupled to the first and second protuberances, each of the first and second cables having a second end that is configured to be operated by the remotely operated vehicle.
 8. The underwater connector according to claim 5, wherein the rotating shaft of the locking plate is arranged between first and second ribs of the inlet opening, the first and second ribs being spaced-apart from one another with each projecting with respect to a lower part of the inlet opening, such that in the second position, the locking plate contacts the lower face of the inlet opening.
 9. The underwater connector according to claim 6, wherein the connector body includes a through hole through which the cable passes.
 10. The underwater connector according to claim 9, wherein the cable passes through the housing of the connector body.
 11. The underwater connector according to claim 2, wherein the inlet opening has an inner wall for receiving the end link of the chain, the inner wall extending directly between an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge having a cross shape, and the upper edge being wider than the lower edge, such that the inner wall defines a plurality of inclined channels that are configured to guide each of the end link and penultimate link of the chain towards the lower edge.
 12. The underwater connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking plate comprises: an upper part to which the thrusting mechanism is attached; first and second projecting arms that are spaced-apart from one another and attached to the upper part; and a through groove disposed between the first and second projecting arms.
 13. The underwater connector according to claim 12, wherein the connector body includes first and second grooves that are respectively configured to receive the first and second projecting arms of the locking plate, the first and second projecting arms and the first and second grooves being configured such that the first and second projecting arms move in a straight path as the locking plate moves from the first position to the second position.
 14. The underwater connector according to claim 13, wherein the first projecting arm includes a first channel and the second projecting arm includes a second channel, there residing in the first and second channels a pin that guides movement of the locking plate between the first and second positions.
 15. The underwater connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking plate includes a first cavity and the connector body includes a second cavity, the first and second cavities being aligned with one another when the locking plate is in the second position, when aligned, the first and second cavities are configured to receive a locking pin that locks the locking plate in the second position.
 16. The underwater connector according to claim 12, wherein the locking plate includes a first cavity and the connector body includes a second cavity, the first and second cavities being aligned with one another when the locking plate is in the second position, when aligned, the first and second cavities are configured to receive a locking pin that locks the locking plate in the second position.
 17. The underwater connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector body includes a support structure that is configured to support the connector body on an edge of an anchor device, the support structure comprising a vertical wall attached to the connector body by first and second arms, there being defined between the vertical wall and the first and second arms a groove configured to receive the edge of an anchoring device.
 18. The underwater connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector body includes a support structure that includes a rod arranged between two lugs of the connector body.
 19. The underwater connector according to claim 18, wherein the support structure is attachable to an anchoring structure that comprises a lower part connectable to an anchoring device, an upper part having an end which is rotatably attached with the lower part, and another end having a locking closure for locking the upper part with the lower part, the support structure including a plurality of arms that is each configured to receive the rod.
 20. The underwater connector according to claim 2, wherein the housing of the connector body is sized to simultaneously receive the end link and the penultimate link, such that when the locking plate is in the second position, the end link is in contact with the locking plate and the penultimate link is arranged in the through groove of the locking plate.
 21. A method for connecting a chain under water using the underwater connector according to claim 1, the method comprises: introducing at least the end link of the end of the chain into the housing of the connector body through the inlet opening; using a remotely operated vehicle to move the locking plate from the first position to the second position to lock the end of the chain housed in the housing; and pulling the chain towards the inlet opening until the end link contacts the locking plate. 